Residents are being told to stay alert and keep listening to the radio.

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Temperatures peaked at 33.3 degrees on Wednesday in Brisbane and are expected to soar to the same temperature again on Thursday while firefighters keep battling the fires dotted across the state.

The watch and act fire alert had been issued to residents of Bribie Island, north of Brisbane, as a blaze burned in inaccessible bushland.

A bushfire burns on Bribie Island. Photo: Ten News

Campers were in the process of evacuating Bribie Island National Park when the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service issued the alert about 12.45pm, urging residents to finalise their bushfire plans so they were ready to evacuate if it became necessary.

It was reissued at 2.45pm as a "number'' of bushfires continued to burn in the Bribie Island National Park near White Patch.

The fires are travelling in a northerly direction and are expected to impact the areas surrounding White Patch Esplanade, including Toowa Street, Horace Street, Coondiba Street, Ethel Street, Hilda Street, Maud Street and Charles Street in the next six to 24 hours.

"Residents are advised to finalise their bushfire plans and be prepared to relocate to a safer area if required. Leaving is the safest option for survival in a bushfire,'' the Department of Community Safety said.

"Well prepared and defended homes can offer safety during the fire and may be defendable."

Firefighters are concerned a north-easterly wind change could hamper efforts to contain the blaze.

It was feared winds gusting up to 40km/h could worsen conditions on the island on Wednesday afternoon but the blaze was prevented from spreading to two nearby pine plantations.

State Emergency Service volunteers door-knocked homes in the area to advise residents of the danger.

Meanwhile, 240 campers had been asked to leave various camp sites within Bribie Island National Park.

Although the fire is not burning close to homes it is still cause for concern, according to Fergus Adrian of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.

"With the weather conditions we are concerned," he told 612 ABC Brisbane.

"We implemented strategies to contain that fire, but the weather conditions prevented us from doing that."

The fire service has also deployed two water bombing aircraft and a fire spotter to the Warrego and Channel Country District in the state’s south-west to assist ground crews and provide support with property protection should a bushfire start in the region.

Hot air from western Queensland made its mark on the southeast on Wednesday, pushing temperatures to more than 40 degrees in some parts.

Southeast Queensland has to date escaped the extreme heat endured by southern states over the past week.

It is unlikely there will be any reprieve from the sultry conditions across southern Queensland for the next week.

Health authorities have urged residents to drink plenty of fluids and remain in air-conditioning where possible to avoid suffering heat stroke or exhaustion.

Overheating can cause problems ranging from heat rash and cramps to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Residents are also asked to check on elderly neighbours or friends and family who may be more vulnerable in the hot weather.

Drink plenty of fluids - cool water is best. Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink, but drink regularly throughout the day. Urine colour is a good guide to hydration - it should be clear to light straw-coloured, not dark or gold.

Stay indoors in very hot weather, preferably in an air-conditioned building or ensure there is good air flow with fans and open windows.

Public venues, such as air-conditioned shopping centres and pools, can provide refuge from the heat.

People can also stay cool by taking cool showers or baths; soaking their feet in a basin of water; or wetting a bandanna or washer and wrapping it around their neck.

2 comments

And do we have total fire bans, no of course not

Commenter

Brian of Narangba

Location

Narangba

Date and time

January 09, 2013, 4:11PM

Seriously? It's dry as a bone and the wind's gusting like crazy. Bloody hell!

I reckon visibility here in Murrumba Downs is down to a couple of km at most due to the smoke.